HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Emergency officials are advising North Alabama residents with enough food, water and other essentials to stay home through the power outage caused by Wednesday's devastating storms.

Officials with the American Red Cross said Thursday that although most people's first instinct is to immediately seek help, it is not always the smart thing to do. With power lines, trees and debris on the ground and roadways, it could be potentially dangerous to leave home.

"For the most part, believe it or not, the best thing is to stay within your home," said Mary Moreillon, regional executive director for the Red Cross' Madison County-Marshall County chapter.

Those who do not have enough food, water and medicine for at least a week, and have nowhere else to turn, can go to one of two shelters being manned by Red Cross volunteers.

In MadisonCounty, residents can go to GoodShepherdChurch, located at the intersection of Capshaw Road and Old Railroad Bed Road. In MarshallCounty, a shelter has been opened at the AlbertvilleRecreationalCenter, located at 915 W. McKinney Ave.

Moreillon said residents who have supplies for a couple of weeks should be fine. A proper emergency preparedness kit contains water - one gallon per person, per day - and non-perishable, easy to prepare food items. A kit should also contain sanitation and personal hygiene supplies, batteries, flashlights and a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, preferably a weather radio.

Each person should also have a seven-day supply of any medications they take regularly. There are ways to preserve food items as long as possible, even after a power outage, Moreillon said.

"Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible," Moreillon said.

Residents whose power has been out since the storms passed through should no longer eat items that remain in a refrigerator without power. A full freezer keeps foods cold for up to 48 hours after losing power, but just 24 hours if half-full.

If unsure that food is still cold enough, establish its temperature with a food thermometer. Residents should throw out any meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40 degrees for two hours or longer. Any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture should also be thrown out.

Moreillon said residents who are not sure if they have enough supplies at home can also team up with neighbors to ensure everyone is taken care of.

"Everyone's situation is different," she said. "Neighborhoods tend to be very supportive of each other."

Moreillon said the hope is that between neighbors helping each other and residents' own supplies, those in non-emergency situations will be taken care of while Red Cross volunteers get mobilized. Because the storms rolled in one after another Wednesday, the agency could not get fully mobilized to render aid until Thursday, Moreillon said.

Nearly 40 Red Cross emergency response vehicles from around the country, stocked with 25,000 ready-to-eat meals, were on the way to Alabama's devastated areas Thursday afternoon. Nurses and mental health professionals are also being deployed to help residents in the aftermath.

Those with TV or Internet access, either via computer or smartphone, should stay up-to-date on their area's recovery process through local media sources, Moreillon said. The media will also have updates on resources outside of a person's home as the days go by.

Additional information on Red Cross "Safe and Well" program:

The Red Cross also has a secure website that can allow affected residents to inform their families and friends that they are all right.